Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2006. Mattie was four years old and as you can see was trying to play with Patches, our calico cat. Patches was great with Mattie and she just understood from the moment we brought him home from the hospital, that he was important, and she had to behave around him. Of course when Mattie was a toddler, he did try to chase her and pull her tail. I corrected that right away, and instead Mattie learned how to treat her gently and kindly. He loved her and they had their own special bond. So much so that when Mattie died, Patches slept on Mattie's bed for months. Something she never did when he was alive.
Quote of the day: This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect. ~ Jodi Picoult
We had no planned activities today! I had high hopes that I would have a few hours to myself to work on a PowerPoint presentation! I must have been kidding myself. I spent hours helping my parents this morning from one task to another. By noon, I had a meltdown and told them that I actually have other things to do. Though hard to believe, since I cater to their every need from morning to night. I then tried to work at my computer for a while, but I did not make it thirty minutes before the next request came and I had to help my dad to the bathroom. By that point, I calmed down and realized there is only so much I can control. That I will get to the presentation when I can. Really my only time to myself is after 10pm. But at that point, I am exhausted and I don't have the energy physically or mentally to do much!
I had to devote time today to making my mom two doctor appointments. Her wrist is swollen and bothering her and I wanted to get a hand surgeon on the calendar just in case her situation doesn't improve. She also wants to see our podiatrist. So of course all of this requires new patient paperwork and coordination. While managing all of this, I checked on my dad and noticed he has a goose egg sized bump on his forehead. I know he did not fall, nor hit anything, because I watch him like a hawk. He did not wake up like this and was fine after his exercise routine. So the only conclusion I came up to was he has a spider bite. I can see a red dot in the center of a large lump. I have been icing his head and I am hoping the swelling goes down by tomorrow. Thankfully it isn't itchy because when my dad gets a mosquito bite for example he scratches and scratches and causes an infection. It is truly problematic, and I just can't get through to him due to his dementia. Instead he gets fixated on itching and what should clear up in a day or so takes weeks to resolve because of his behaviors. Now I have learned that all bites need to be covered. Not with a regular band aid either, as he is allergic to latex. But with a sensitive skin (no latex) bandage. The one thing you learn with caregiving, is to be resourceful and creative. Trust me with my dad, I am constantly thinking outside the box.
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